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ownCloud

Cloud Storage & File Sharing

4.0(44 ratings)

80% recommend

ownCloud is a secure cloud storage and file sharing solution that prioritizes privacy.

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About ownCloud

Best for organizations needing self-hosted, compliant file sharing.

ownCloud is an open-source file sync and share platform that lets organizations host their own cloud storage infrastructure. It enables users to store, sync, and share files across devices while maintaining full control over where data resides. Originally forked from a community project in 2010, ownCloud is particularly popular among enterprises, educational institutions, and government agencies that need to meet strict data sovereignty and compliance requirements. It supports extensive customization through plugins and offers both a self-hosted community edition and a commercially supported enterprise version.

Pros

Full data sovereignty with self-hosted deployment options
Open-source with active community and plugin ecosystem
Strong compliance support for GDPR and HIPAA
Granular file sharing permissions and access controls
Cross-platform clients for desktop and mobile devices

Cons

Self-hosting requires technical expertise and server maintenance
User interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
Community edition lacks some advanced enterprise features
Performance can lag with very large file volumes

Use Cases

Best for enterprises needing on-premises file storage with regulatory compliance

Best for universities sharing research data securely across departments and collaborators

Best for government agencies requiring data sovereignty and controlled access

Best for teams replacing consumer cloud services with a private alternative

Key Features

6 features

End-to-end encryption for files

Granular access control settings

File versioning and recovery options

Collaboration tools for team sharing

Integration with external storage services

Customizable user interface themes

SaasHunter Score

7.6/10

“Budget is a priority and you need a privacy-focused solution for small teams.”

Ease of Use

7.0

Features

8.0

Pricing

8.0

Support

7.0

Integrations

8.0

Best For

Enterprise 9Small Business 8Agencies 7Startups 7Freelancers 6

Integrations

Microsoft Office OnlineCollabora OnlineLDAP/Active DirectorySAML/SSO providersOutlookLibreOfficeMoodleSplunk

Cloud Storage Self Hosted Privacy Focused Storage Consumer Cloud Storage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ownCloud?

ownCloud is an open-source file sync and share platform that allows organizations to host their own cloud storage. It gives users full control over their data while enabling secure collaboration and file sharing.

How much does ownCloud cost?

ownCloud offers a free community edition for self-hosting. The commercial enterprise edition (ownCloud Infinite Scale) uses subscription-based pricing that varies by number of users, typically starting around €5 per user per month.

What are the main features of ownCloud?

Key features include file sync and sharing across devices, granular access controls, version history, guest user access, end-to-end encryption, and federation capabilities for sharing across ownCloud instances. It also supports collaborative document editing through integrations.

Who should use ownCloud?

ownCloud is ideal for businesses, educational institutions, and government organizations that need to keep sensitive data on their own infrastructure. It's well-suited for teams with strict compliance requirements like GDPR or HIPAA.

Is there a free plan for ownCloud?

Yes, ownCloud offers a free community edition that can be self-hosted without licensing costs. However, it lacks enterprise features like commercial support, advanced authentication, and some security tools available in the paid version.